Newington leads state in per-pupil cost

Sunday

While all Seacoast towns exceeded the state cost-per-pupil average for the school year ending 2007, the town of Newington had the highest in the state at $25,357.

While all Seacoast towns exceeded the state cost-per-pupil average for the school year ending 2007, the town of Newington had the highest in the state at $25,357.

The state average was $10,305.

The calculations are taken from end-of-the-year financial reports every district must file with the Department of Education. They represent expenditures from all funding sources associated with the daily operation of schools, with certain reductions including payments to other school districts and private school, tuition and transportation.

Newington's number is solely based on its elementary school, the Newington Public School, because the town sends students in grades 7 to 12 to Portsmouth schools. Newington's student population in 2007 was 37.

Newington's has been among the five highest cost-per-pupil rates in the state every year since 1998. The 2007 school year was the first time it was the highest; topping Waterville Valley ($20,363 per pupil with 36 students), Lafayette Regional ($17,991 per pupil with 110 students), Freedom ($17,975 per pupil with 88 students) and Monroe ($16,839 per pupil with 73 students).

In the nine years prior to 2007, the student population in Newington has ranged from 43 to 60. There are currently 40 students enrolled at the school.

"It's a hard place for us to be," said Principal Helen Rist, who is also a part-time grades 2 and 3 teacher. "We always find ourselves in that spot. I think our parents understand our costs really have remained pretty consistent.

"You add 20 students to the school and — as long as it was spread out among the grades — we wouldn't have to hire any new staff."

The student-to-teacher ratio in Newington was also extremely low in 2007, with one teacher for every 6.2 students — roughly half the state average. In the previous nine years that number has ranged from 8.4 to 13.9.

School Administrative Unit 50 Superintendent George Cushing said the $1.1 million general school budget has remained largely stable over the years but the student population has fluctuated. In 2007, it was particularly low and with only 37 students, one student can greatly affect the cost rate.

"We keep a pretty flat budget" said Cushing. "It is truly a factor of the number of students in the school."

There are eight full-time positions at the school — one principal/teacher, three teachers, a secretary, two special-education paraprofessionals and one special-education coordinator. All of the unified arts teachers, physical education, specialists, technology and maintenance jobs are either part time or positions shared with other SAU 50 towns.

Classrooms are multigrade and adjusted every year according to population and individual needs of students, according to Rist. Currently Rist splits teaching responsibilities with a part-time teacher for the grade 2/3 classroom, then there are full-time teachers for kindergarten/grade 1, grade 4/5 and grade 5/6.

A majority of the town's school budget increases come from paying tuition to Portsmouth, according to the administrators. Rist said she's also cut positions in the past to try and save money and reduce the impact.

Census data shows the school may be in for a spike in the near future, according to Rist. Next year, there will be eight new kindergarten students, compared to three this year. It might seem small, but it can be difference of thousands of dollars in the cost-per-pupil rate.

The state also has certain curriculum requirements and standardized-test expectations, which are often costly and cannot be ignored.

"Regardless of the student population we still have the same expenses — we still need to meet statewide guidelines for curriculum, meals, programming," said Cushing. "And we offer comprehensive curriculum to our kids ... It's an exceptional school — what we can offer in such a small school is incredible."

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Newsletters

Advertise

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
seacoastonline.com ~ 111 New Hampshire Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service